Vulnerable Adults

Durham Police works closely with partner agencies in the prevention and protection from abuse of vulnerable adults ensuring the safety and protection of the most vulnerable people in our communities

An adult who is or may be in need of community services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is or may be unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation.

(definition from: No Secrets (2000) 'Vulnerable Adult')

To Report Concerns

If you have any doubts we would prefer to receive a false call with good intentions rather than no call.

Remember: in an emergency call 999.

If you have concerns about someone's welfare please contact the police on 101.

Please provide as much information as possible, including -

The persons details

Where they live (or relatives who they visit)

Why are you concerned

Here is some more detailed information about what abuse is:

Physical:

Any deliberate act to cause physical harm including

hitting

slapping

pushing

kicking

misuse of medication

restraint

Financial or Material:

theft

fraud

exploitation

pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance

pressure in connection with financial transactions, or misusing property, possessions and benefits.

Sexual:

involvement in a sexual act to which the vulnerable person

has not consented,

to which he or she could not consent

was pressured into consenting.

Neglect and Acts of Omission:

ignoring medical or physical care needs

withholding the necessities of life such as:

nutrition

heating

medication.

Psychological:

emotional abuse

threats to harm or abandon the person

depriving them of contact

humiliating them

blaming them

controlling them

intimidating them

coercing them

harassing them,

verbal abuse

isolation

withdrawing services and support networks.

Discriminatory:

based on:

cultural

sexual

age

disability

sexual orientation

religion

Institutional:

Mistreatment or abuse by an organization or the individuals within it.

Domestic

any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse occurring between adults who are or have been in an intimate relationship or are family members – regardless of gender or sexuality.

Where Does the Abuse Take Place?

Own home

A carer’s home

Day careResidential care

Nursing home

Hospital

Who Abuses?

An abuser is usually known to the person being abused and can include: